Ellsworth, Oliver, 1745-1807 to Rufus King
Order a pdf of this item here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02505.17 Author/Creator: Ellsworth, Oliver, 1745-1807 Place Written: Bath, England Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 March 1801 Pagination: 1 p. : docket Height: 23.1 cm, Width: 18.8 cm Order a Copy
Written by Ellsworth as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to King as American Minister to England. Ellsworth was selected by Adams as one of three peace commissioners that was sent to France in 1799. The team of diplomats successfully negotiated the Treaty of Mortefontaine, which freed the United States from its treaty obligations dating from the Revolution. Ellsworth developed a kidney ailment afterward and was in Bath trying to recover his health. Thanks King for sending him a packet of information. In reference to the tie in the electoral college of the election of 1800, Ellsworth says he wants every scrap of information on "the fate of two questions, both too important for passion to decide." Says it is strange that King's letter was not acknowledged by the Secretary of State John Marshall since the Senate has discussed it. Laments "the Embarrassments of this Country, as well as that they are not better understood in our own."
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.